Inspiring a New Wave of Innovation and Creativity through Giving:
Vernita B. Harris ’79 ’81 Makes $100,000 Gift to the College of Business
Remove Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) from the resume of Vernita B. Harris ’79 ’81 and her life, she says, drastically changes.
President of Impact Strategies Consultants, Impact International Group, Envision Marketing Service, and Merchant Allied Processing, Vernita unequivocally credits her professional success to PVAMU. “As I reflect upon my life, I recognize that it would not have been the same if not for Prairie View,” shares Vernita who earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the College of Business. “I entered as an immature 17-year-old with little direction and lofty dreams and emerged as a confident young lady fully prepared to take on the world and navigate the global marketplace.”
In December 2018, Vernita spearheaded a trade delegation from Houston to The Bahamas where she currently resides. The delegation included Houston Vice Mayor Pro-Tem Jerry Davis ’99, Port of Houston Commissioner Theldon R. Branch, III, as well as leaders from the Greater Houston Partnership, Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce, Texas Southern University, and PVAMU.
Representing President Ruth J. Simmons, the PVAMU team included College of Business Dean Munir Quddus, Assistant Vice Chancellor for State Relations Frank Jackson ’73, and PVAMU Foundation Trustee Oscar Taylor ’86.
“Vernita’s ability to organize such an influential trade delegation to explore economic and educational opportunities in The Bahamas is indicative of her strong business acumen,” says Dean Quddus. “We are extremely proud of her achievements and grateful that she continues to share her time and talents to elevate the university in meaningful ways. She has a rare ability to bring people together.”
For Vernita, supporting the university is an easy decision—a decision that she hopes more alumni will make to help students or, as she says, the “Productive People in the works”.
“I refuse to be an alumna who professes that I love my school but never once pays it forward,” states Vernita who serves on the College of Business Dean’s Advisory Council. “All alumni should find their own unique way to contribute to the university.”
While investigating ways to give back to her alma mater, Vernita discovered that she could extend her philanthropic reach by making Prairie View the beneficiary of her life insurance policy. “It’s an affordable way to make a major gift to PVAMU,” states Vernita. Her policy will gift the university $100,000 to establish an endowed scholarship fund benefiting marketing students in the College of Business in honor of her parents, David, and Willie Harris.
“I was a first-generation college student from a low-income family,” says Vernita recognizing that her background mirrors that of many students and alumni. “My success reflects the encouragement and prayers of my parents, guidance counselors, and professors. I want to be the source of encouragement for the next generation, and I believe that my charitable gift will allow me to influence the future positively.”
“Through this creative gift, Vernita is paving a solid path for marketing students who follow in her footsteps,” states Dean Quddus. “Her generous gift will help future generations of PVAMU marketing graduates be successful. We are hopeful that this gift will inspire other friends of the university to use this powerful vehicle to support their beloved alma mater. We are honored to be a part of her legacy.”
Unable to imagine her life without PVAMU, Vernita’s generosity will help PVAMU transform the lives of deserving students for years to come.
By Kimberly Karol